New Dovo Black Star problem

[SSgtPitt]

Just recv'd my 1st straight razor for Xmas, New Dovo Black Star.
Shaved with it twice but now i can feel a small "curl" on one side of the blade. I don't think my face is rough enough to do that. Is the blade defective, is this normal, can I hone or strop it out or should I return the razor ?

[BrickBag]

welcome to SRP!

You most likely have stropped the razor with too much pressure and have 'rolled edge'. You can try to get the edge back by stropping correctly for about 400 times.

The other reason could be that the razor wasn't shave ready to begin with, so it was caught on the hairs in stead of being immediately cut, could be an issue of beard prep as well, your whiskers have to be softened before shaving. Cutting dry, hard whiskers is like cutting metal threads with a razor.

The edge of a razor is very fragile(hell, stropping puts the edge back to good condition), so it could be that the edge is indeed rolled or bent. You can try to strop it back into condition. The other option is to get it honed and try stropping with a butter knife to get the feeling.

So give some more information for a better analysis.

I can also recommend that you read the wiki, especially the parts on the first shaves.

[jhenry]

Where did you purchase your Black Star? If it was one of the online vendors who advertise here at SRP, you can discuss your problem with them.

When you stropped your razor, you may have "rolled" the edge of the blade. Is there some way that you can get access to a jeweler's loupe (small magnifying glass) to examine the edge of your razor?

[Logistics]

Welcome to SRP fellow Coloradoan!

If the edge truly is curled I would suspect this would be from stropping incorrectly. Generally, the best thing to do is just hone it out which can be pretty easy depending on how bad this curl really is. Unless you are experienced I would recommend sending the razor to someone that knows how.

Also, there are some gents in your area that are in the AF that could help mentor you. This is, of course, if they have the time.

If you can find out where the razor was purchased sometimes the vendors have a free honing / touch-ups. Most notable is SRD with honing for life when purchased during the Christmas time frame. Worth finding out.

[SSgtPitt]

Thanks for the info. I have not yet stropped the razor as it's brand new and was supposedly professionally honed before it was shipped. My beard, which is light, as I have blond hair, was well prepped with hot water but my shaving technique is still in it's infancy. I spent hours online reading up on this subject, " The Art of Shaving" was very informative. My virgin guess is the edge of the blade was just so paper thin that my feeble attempts at a first shave screwed it up.
As I run my finger from the heel to the blade edge I can feel the curl on one side of the blade but not the other. It's a beautiful razor and I'm anxious to get the hang of making it a part of my daily routine.
Is there a local shop where i can purchase hones, strops, etc and have the blade attended too, today ?

[Mvcrash]

I am just a novice at this only being Str8 shaving for a year or so. I will say I doubt very much your skin is strong enough to roll the edge. I think some of the more experienced folks will chime in here.

Good luck and enjoy!!

[roughkype]

Welcome from another Coloradoan!

Sorry to hear about your blade--that's a big disappointment.

There's an Art of Shaving in Denver, at the Cherry Creek Mall. I don't know how knowledgeable they actually are about straight razors, but you can probably get a strop there.

If you can find a barber who's been barbering a long time, he can probably help you fix your blade. Denver seems to have a lot of barbers who still give straight razor shaves.

You might have just bumped your blade against the sink, or against a scale when closing it. I've tweaked my own edges that way.

Honing is a game all its own... if it comes to that, find someone experienced to do it for you the first time. You can do a fair amount of damage honing, and this isn't the blade for you to learn on!

I'd suggest you get a starter razor from whippeddog.com, and one of his starter strops too. The razor will be shave-ready, but relatively inexpensive so you can practice anything on it.

Practice stropping with a butter knife or something before putting your real blade on it. This will get you started with some muscle memory.

Above all, dig into the Wiki--there are great instructions and videos there. Take it slow and easy--the straight shave is really a collection of different arts.

Good luck with it all, and I hope you get your blade straightened out!

[Logistics]

... Is there a local shop where i can purchase hones, strops, etc and have the blade attended too, today ?

I don't know of any shops that sell the equipment locally. Certainly go to SRD or Classic shaving (and there are more online) to get a strop for daily use. As for honing, it is recommended to hold off until you get the hang of stropping and shaving.

As for finding someone today, unless there is someone in the CS area that can get you taken care of it would be best to send it off. Most of the very experienced guys on here have fast turn around for honing. USPS Priority, 1 day honing, USPS Priority back to you.

Also, with this hobby, I am glad to see how anxious you are but the best part of this shaving style is taking your time. Relax. If you rush it bad things can happen.

As a kind gesture I will hone it up for you. Free. All you do is pay for shipping to me and I'll pay for the same back. I am on vacation all next week. Problem, I am busy today and tomorrow. Yea, with the cold temps a can of Coke exploded in my truck. Gotta get it detailed now.
Send me a PM if you're interested unless a SRP member from CS chimes in to help.

However, if your razor came with a free honing I would send it off to them.

[AFDavis11]

I'm too far away to make this offer practical, but as a fellow AF (retired) guy I would certainly be willing to fix your edge for you if you need it. Postage and patience is all that you would need.

[SSgtPitt]

Thanks for all the info and the offers of help. I think I will take some time this week and find a strop and maybe hook up with an olde tyme barber or Brother. I know there's few out there.